Today’s Athletic power rankings used this as the Flames comparable
Pretty accurate assessment. that being said, treat this game like how the Oilers usually treat it when they’re in the standings dumpster, like it’s our Stanley Cup final and put up a touchdown.
Makes sense to go with Rittich, at this point in the season you have to go with the guy who gives you the best chance to win. Hopefully the Flames can pull out a miracle but this will be a tough out. Oilers have that top end talent up front and Nurse is a horse on the backend. Go Flames Go.
Even if you argue Markstrom hasn't been good (I disagree), Rittich isn't an improvement.
Even if you argue Markstrom hasn't been good (I disagree), Rittich isn't an improvement.
I would agree with Sutter on this one, Rittich gives you your best chance to win the game. Which in a binary choice sort of way makes Rittich an improvement over Markstrom.
For the hope crowd this game is huge, as Montreal's recent success has made the Oilers the target if the Flames are to get in.
Currently the Oilers are on a 68 point pace.
The Flames need to go 17-2-0 to catch them.
If the Flames win in regulation tonight, it would bring the target down by two points, and the Flames would then need to go 15-3-0 the rest of the way.
If the Flames lose in regulation tonight, it would move the target up a point, and the Flames would then need to go 18-0-0 to finish with 70 points.
Big game!
Lol stats like that make me wonder why there is a “hope crowd”. That’s never happening.
I would agree with Sutter on this one, Rittich gives you your best chance to win the game. Which in a binary choice sort of way makes Rittich an improvement over Markstrom.
Sutter said that? Or is he just resting Markstrom some more for a more serious opponent on Sunday? Or was this just a scheduled backup start for Rittich - he plays 20% or so no matter what.
For the hope crowd this game is huge, as Montreal's recent success has made the Oilers the target if the Flames are to get in.
Currently the Oilers are on a 68 point pace.
The Flames need to go 17-2-0 to catch them.
If the Flames win in regulation tonight, it would bring the target down by two points, and the Flames would then need to go 15-3-0 the rest of the way.
If the Flames lose in regulation tonight, it would move the target up a point, and the Flames would then need to go 18-0-0 to finish with 70 points.
Big game!
Similar situation to Feaster’s last year when Burke took over in 13/14. With 18 games left if the Flames would have gone 17-1 for the rest of the season they would have made the playoffs. A lot of similarities between that 13/14 team and this team in terms of on the ice performance.
Sutter said that? Or is he just resting Markstrom some more for a more serious opponent on Sunday? Or was this just a scheduled backup start for Rittich - he plays 20% or so no matter what.
Good points, Sutter may have said #### it, I will put in my second best option to beat the Edmonton Oilers, I want to save my stud Markstrom for Sunday. Plus he probably looked and said “I have this schedule that says I have to play my backup 20% of the time to keep Markstrom fresh and Markstrom has played a lot of hockey over the last 72 hours, better go with my second best option.
Good points, Sutter may have said #### it, I will put in my second best option to beat the Edmonton Oilers, I want to save my stud Markstrom for Sunday.
You think Sutter likes Rittich more than Markstrom? That's funny.
As for "second best option", Rittich has a sparkling .778 save% his last outing against the Oilers, and lost the one before as well. At least Markstrom owns a couple wins against them.
The only way Markstrom isn't better is if he's hurt.
Honestly no................not in this circumstance. In a situation where say the standings were the same, but we were a rebuilding team that had no expectations, a win in this situation would be sweet.
In a situation where this core is in it's "window" and are out of the playoff race, and the Oilers are firmly in a playoff spot, it means literally nothing.
It’s like saving for retirement. Yes it’s better to spend all your money now but if you do you will have nothing in the future
I’ve been a flames fan my whole life and plan to be the rest of my life. If losing today means we sell and better our position moving forward then that is what needs to happen. A win tonight could lead to bad decisions. I just won’t watch because I can’t stomach the idea that I’m ok with the oilers beating the flames. But unfortunately it’s for the best.
You think Sutter likes Rittich more than Markstrom? That's funny.
As for "second best option", Rittich has a sparkling .778 save% his last outing against the Oilers, and lost the one before as well. At least Markstrom owns a couple wins against them.
The only way Markstrom isn't better is if he's hurt.
It is cute that you think Darryl wants to give everyone a chance to play. I suspect he is trying to win the game, thus why Rittich is in.
For the hope crowd this game is huge, as Montreal's recent success has made the Oilers the target if the Flames are to get in.
Currently the Oilers are on a 68 point pace.
The Flames need to go 17-2-0 to catch them.
If the Flames win in regulation tonight, it would bring the target down by two points, and the Flames would then need to go 15-3-0 the rest of the way.
If the Flames lose in regulation tonight, it would move the target up a point, and the Flames would then need to go 18-0-0 to finish with 70 points.
Big game!
Not that it really matters, but if we win in regulation tonight, the Oilers would no longer be on a 68 point pace, but a 66 point pace. Calgary would need to go 14-4.
If Edmonton wins, they would then be on a 69 point pace.
If Calgary wants to catch Edmonton, the answer is pretty simple. Start by winning every game with them.
Calgary is -2 from .500, Edmonton +8. They need to bring Edmonton.on back to the. Every win against them brings them 2 closer.
We all know it’s very, very unlikely. But it has to include beating Edmonton every game we play them.
And that’s always worth watching.
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Not that it really matters, but if we win in regulation tonight, the Oilers would no longer be on a 68 point pace, but a 66 point pace. Calgary would need to go 14-4.
If Edmonton wins, they would then be on a 69 point pace.
I thought I factored that in.
Oilers are on a 68.1 point pace coming in, and would be as you say on a 66.3 point pace if they lose in regulation.
So Calgary would need 30 points in only 18 games so 15-3-0
It is cute that you think Darryl wants to give everyone a chance to play. I suspect he is trying to win the game, thus why Rittich is in.
I would think Sutter would think Markstrom is his best unless he isn't (clearly that's obvious).
Lots of speculation that Markstrom is fighting an injury, maybe with the bonus days off they think he'll be more Markstrom like if they shut him down until Sunday's game.
Would be nice for Rittich to string some solid performances between now and the deadline. I have to think he may be of interest to a team that is looking for insurance in the playoffs.
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